Sand line core barrel



Aug. 1, 1939.

G. c. o1 1vER SAND LINE CORE BARREL Filed May 16, 19:58

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN Aug. 1, 1939.

G. C. OLIVER sAND/ LINE come BARREL Patented Aug. l, 1939 PATENT 4o l-*Fl'ca SAND. LINE conn Banani.' Guy C. Oliver, Glendale, Calif. Application May 16, 193s. seia1`No-zoaz1s 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in core barrels.

The general object of the invention is to provide a core barrel including an inner and an l" outer member wherein novel means is provided for supporting the members. A further object of the inventionis to provide a core barrel including an outer barrel and a core retainer with novel means for lsupporting the core retainer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a core barrel including ah outer member and a core retainer including novel means whereby the core retainer may be raised and lowered on a sand line.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a novel bit member for' use with a core barrel.

Other objects and the advantages-of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: .l

Fig. 1 is a central sectional View through a string of drill pipe showing my improved core barrel;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlargedsection through my improved core barrel;

Flg. 3 is an enlarged section 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. '4 is a fragmentary view ofthe bit end of the core barrel showing the core catcher re' placed by a bitportion;

taken on line Fig. 5 is a section taken on une s-s of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modifled means of mounting the`core retainer.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in a core barrel which is indicated generally at I0. As shown the core barrel includes a shell II lower end of the shell Il is connected to a collar I4 which has a bit I5 secured to the lower end thereof.

The bit I5 includes blades I'l. The bit I5" is providedl with downwardly directed circulation apertures I8 and lateral apertures I8. The apertures I9 communicate at their inner ends with a bore 20 of the bit and at their outer ends intersect the apertures I8. The apertures I8 at their upper ends communicate with a peripheral channel 2| in the inner wall of the blt I5. The upper end of the bit hasthreads 22 thereon which engage similar threads on the collar I4 and the bit bore 26 which is connected to a coupling I2 which is in turn connected to a string of drill pipe I3.v The cutting teeth I6 and reamer (ci. g55-72) n includes a threaded portion 23 below the channel 2l. A l

Positioned in the shell II Iprovide an outer core barrel 24 the lower end of which is externally threaded to engage the threads 23 of the 5 -bit and adjacent the upper end 'the 'outer core barrel is internally threaded as at 25 to receive a similarly threaded bushing fmember 26. As shown the inner face of the bushing 26 is down- A v wardly convergently tapered and has a resilient 10 seat member 2l which may be made of rubber positioned in a groove 28 in the taperedxface of the bushing.

Positioned on the outer surface of the -outer barrel 24 below the upper'end thereof I provide l5 hooked end portions 30 positioned -above the end 20 of the barrel 24 and including upwardly and outwardly inclined release portions 3l..

Above the outer barrel I provide a head member 32, the Alower end133 of which is tapered as at 35 to match the taper of the bushing 26 and is .25 adapted to engage the resilient seat member 2l. Above the tapered portion 35 the head'v has a peripheral groove 36 therein in which the hook portions 20 of the spring clips 28 are positioned. 'The head 32 has a recess 31 therein which vopens 30 through the lower end of the head and a reduced threaded aperture 38 which opens through the .upper end of the head and into the recess 31;.

Positioned in the threaded aperture 38 I provide a threaded stem 38 the upper end ofwhlch 35 includes a wrench engaging portion 40 and which has a cap nut 4I thereon locking it to the head4 32. The threadedstem 38 includes a cylindrical portion 42 and a reduced cylindrical portion 43 Mounted on the cylindrical portion 42 I shw a plug 45 which is-chambered to receive a packing gland 46. v

Mounted on the reduced portion 43 I show anti; friction bearings 41 which preferably are of the 45 radial thrust type. 'The upper bearing element engages theA plug 45 while the lower bearing element engages a threaded nut 48 onthe threaded end 44. A lock washer 49 serves to hold the nut 48 in place and a lock nut 50 serves to hold the 50 vwasher 49 in place.l v The outer surface of the plug 45 is threaded to receive the threaded end of a support member 5I the lower end of which is threaded at'52 to engage internal threads 53 of a core retaining bar- I5 5 which terminates in, a threaded portion- 44. 40l

rel 54. The support member 5I has a recess 55 therein which opens through the lower end thereof. A plurality of apertures 56 in the support member open into the recess 55. The botton of the member 5I is formed to provide a depending circulation diverging member 51. p

Positioned in the core .retainer below the support member 5| I provide a plug 58 which is externally threaded to engage the threads 53 of the retainer 54. `The plug 58 has a central aperture 59 therethrough the upper' portion of which includesa tapered valve seat 60 to receive a valve ball 6I. The previously mentioned circulation diverging member 51 also acts ,to limit the upward movement of the ball valve 6I.

At the lower end of the core retainer barrel I provide a core catcher assembly which is indicated at 62 and includes an upper member 63 and a lower member 64 which have coaxial bores 64y therethrough. The upper member is externally threaded as at 65 to engage a threaded porvftiorrf66 of the core retainer 54 and is threaded as at .61 to engage a similarly l.the lower member 64. The upper member 53 above the threads 65 includes an external dovethreaded portion of tail groove 68 in which a rubber catcher member 69 is vulcanized. The rubber catcher 69 includes a dovetail portion 10 which ts in the groove 6'8 and an upwardly and inwardly extending portion 1I! having an aperture 12 in the upper end thereof.

The lower member-64 includes a plurality of slots 13 opening into the bore 64 in which core catchers 14 are pivotally.. mounted. Springs 15- normally urge these catchers inwardly. The lower member 64 of the core catcher fits within a reduced bore 16 in the drill bit I5. I'he bit further includes an aperture 11 which opens through the bottom thereof and into the bore 16.

In order to remove the inner core barrel 54 from the well I provide a coupling member indicatedA generally at 18 and which includes an end member 18a which has a central aperture 18b mounted on a pull member 18ov which is connected to the sand line 18d. The pull member includes a head 18ethe lower end of which is bevelled as at 18h.A

The end member'18a is secured upon the upper end of a sleeve 18g, the lower part of which is bevelled as at 18h. The sleeve 18g includes inwardly directed bosses 18i on which dogs 187 are pivoted. The dogs are urged inwardly by springs 18k and include prongs 181. The dogs also include cam surfaces 18m. Within the sleeve 18g a flanged collar 181i is slidably mounted. Screws 18o pass through the end member 18a and have reduced ends 18p which pass through the collar 1811. and included heads 18gf Spring' 181 on the portion 18p urge the flanged collar 181i downwardly.

In operation the core barrel is assembled on vthe drill string as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the bit I5 lowered to the bottom of the well hole. Thereafter the bit is rotated through the medium of the drill string and cuts a core C which as the bit moves downwardly passes through the core catcher 62 into the core retaining barrel 54.

As the core is entering the core retaining bar rel 54 any fluid therein displaced by the core passes upwardly through the aperture 59 unseating the ball valve 6I and out through the apertures 56 into the space between the core retaining barrel and the outer barrel whence it passes through the bitapertures I9 and the bit apertures I8.

After a sufficient length of core has been 9btained the drill string is held stationary. 'The ends of the dogs 181'. The operator then lowers the sand line 18d. As the sand line is thus moved thebevelled portion 18h1 of the sleeve 18g en^` gages theY spring clips 29 and forces them out of engagement with\the head 32. lAs the sand line is further lowered the prongs 181 on the dogs 181 enter a groove 18s on the head member 32 and are held in this position by the springs 18k. The sand line is then'pulled upwardly and the inner core barrel 54 is pulled out of the well. The length of the sleeve 18g is such that the lower end thereof holds `the clips 29 outwardly until after the groove 36 has passed above the engaging portion of the clips..

' After the core -has been removed from the inner core barrel the screws 18o are rotated t0 the position shown in Fig. 1 and the operator again lowers the sand line 18d thus lowering the coupling member` 18 and the co're retaining barrel 54 downwardly through the drill string. The bevelle'd portion 18h. opens the clips 29 after which the coupling member \18 rests upon the upper end of the prongs. Further lowering of the sand line causes the head 18e to the lowered relative to the rest of the coupling member so that the bevelled surface 18j engages the cam surfaces 18m and rocks the dogs about their pivot thus moving the prongs 181 from the groove 18s. J

As the upper ends fof the -prongs move inwardly they clear the lower edge of the flanged portion 66 of the core retaining barrel and includes a body portion 8|.Which fits within the bit bore 16 and a reduced portion 82 which is positioned in the bit aperture 11. 'Thel lower portion 82 of the plug bit is shaped to match the teeth I6 shaped as at 83 to match the teeth I6 of the bit I5.V

Extending downwardly from the body portion 8I the plug bit includes a plurality of spaced lugs 84r which are positioned in -recesses 85 in the bit I5. When the plug bit 18 is operatively positioned in the bit I5 as shown in Fig. 4.and the bit I5 is rotated through the medium of the drill string the bit I5 cuts without forming a core.

In` Fig. 6 I have indicated a .modification of my improved core barrel generally at 98. As shown the core barrel 90 includes an outer shell 9I which is connected to a coupling 92 which'in turn is connected to a string of drill pipe 93.`

'Ihe lower end of the shell 9| is connected to ,a collar 94 in the same manner as previously described in connection with the shell II and of which communicate with a peripheral channel 33 in a recess |00 of the bit.

The upp'er portion-of the recess |00 is threaded as at |I to engage similar threadsl on a dollar 34. Below the recess- |00 the bit has a reduced recess |02 opening into therecess- |00 and below the recess |02 the bit has a further reduced recess |83 opening into the recess |02 and below the recess |03 the bit has a further reduced recess ,|04 therein opening into-the recess |03. The upper portion of the recess |04 includes a threaded portion |05. Below the recess |04 the bit has a further reduced recess |06 therein opening into the recess |04 and below the recess |06 the bit .has a central aperture |01 therein opening x through the bottom or the bit and communicating with the recess |06.A

Positioned in the recess |04 I-provide an anti- Vfriction;bearing |08 and positioned in the shell 9| I provide an outer core barrel |09 the'lower portion of which is internally threaded as at ||0 to receive a similarly threaded portion of a cap member ||2. The lower portion of the cap is Apositioned in the bit recess |03 and a reduced hub ||3 on the cap engages the inner raceway of the anti-friction bearing |08. The cap |.|2 has n open topped recess I4 therein and a reduced threaded recess ||5 opening into the recess ||'4 and through the lower end of the cap. A clamping member |6 threadedly engages the cap `I I2 and includes an enlarged head portion 7 ||1 positioned in the bit aperture |06 engaging' the bottom of the inner raceway of the bearing |08. A lock `nut ||8 engages the bit threads |05l and engages the top of the outer raceway of the bearing |08 and firmly clamps the bearing in the recess |04. l

.AboveV the cap member ||2 the shell |09 has a plurality of apertures ||9 in the side wall theref which open into the bit recess |00. The upper end of the outer core barrel is internallyv threaded as at |20 to receive a similarly threaded bushing member |2|. As shown the inner face of the bushing |2| is directly convergently tapered and has a resilient seat member |22 positioned in a groove |23 in the tapered face .of the bushing.

Positioned on the outer surface of the outer barrel |09 below the upper end thereof I pro-i 5 0 vide a. plurality of spacer lugs |24 which may be secured to the barrel as by welding.' Mounted on y ,g the outer barrel |09 adjacent the upper end therety of spring clips |25 having of I provide a plura of the barrel |09 and including upwardly and outwardly inclined release portions |21.

Above the outer barrel |09 I provide a liead member |28 which includes ,af bail portion |29 for attaching thereto a sand line as previously described in connectinwiththegdevlce |,Tlle

Jif'#flirtenend'pttliehmn |29 is tapered asap |30 to matchthe taper oi/ the.bushing-A |2| and is i adapted to engage the resilient seat member |22.

Above the tapered portion |30 the head has a peripheral'groove |3| therein in which the 'hook portions |26 ofthe spring clips are positioned.

The head- |28 has arecess |32 therein which opens'through the .1er/rYV endtnerenfmrpe negg,barreksaidheadv 7 |28 has a' plurality of apertures |33 opening 0 V`"rthrough the side walls thereof into the recess |32. AI'he bottom of the recess |32 is formed to `provide a depending circulation diverging 4 member |34. The lower portion of' the head |28-is 7 5 V threadedasat |35 to engagea similarly threaded catchers |55 inner core portion |36 adjacent to the upper end of acore retaining barrel |31. V

Positioned in the core retainer below the head |28 I provide a plug |38 which is externally provide a core catcher assembly which is indicated at |42 and indudes an upper member |43 and a lower member |44 each of which has a 15 coaxial bore |45 therethrough. The upper member is externally threaded as at |46 to engage a threaded portion |41 of the core retainer |31 and is threaded as at |48. to engage a similarly threaded portion of the lower member |44. `20

The upper member |43 above the threads |46 includes an external dovetail groove |49 in which a rubber catcher member |50 is vulcanized. The rubbercatcher includes a dovetail portion |5| which fits in the grove |49 and an upwardly and 25 inwardly extending portion |52 having an aperture |53 in-the upper end thereof.

The lower member |44 includes a plurality of slots |54 opening into the bore |45 in which core are pivotally mounted. Springs 3m |56 normally urge these catchers inwardly. The lower member |44 Jof the core catcher ts within the cap recess H6. f1 The device ,90 is preferably employed with a coupling member including a sleeve 18g' and 35 dogsla" having prongs 19| which' are similarv to the sleeve dogs and prongs previously described and the use of the device 90 is similar nin all respects to that prevously described in connection with the device |0. 40

From the joregoing description it will be ap; parent that I have provided-anovel core barrel which is simple in construction and highly eili- Ccient in use. y y

Having thus described my invention I claim;r 45

1. In a core barrel, a bit having a central bore, y a cylindrical shell, means to secure said shell to said bit, an outer barrel mounted in said shell, a head member in said'barrel, a Astem adjustably mounted on said -hea'd member, said stem having 50 a bearing thereon, a core Ybarrel supportfon 'said bearing, an inner core barrel on said support and spaced from said outer barrel, said core barrel support` having a plurality of apertures vaffording Y' Vcommunication between the interior of said, sup- '55 port and the exterior of said inner' barrel, a core catcher assembly on said inner barrel, said outer barrel having a tapered seat yportion adjacent Ythe upper end thereof and said head member including a -tapered Lsurface-to engage portion, and releasable catchrmeans on said outer-r' barrel coasting Vllltll means on said head to releasably connect said hefad .and saigrouter'barrel.

.2. In a core (barrel, a githaving a central bore,

drical shell, a coupling secured 'to said shell, an l bly secured to said bit, a head member-in said having athreaded aperture, a .stem having 'threads 'thereon and iittingsaid 70 head aperture, saidhstem having va cylindrical portion thereon,l an apertured ,plug rotatably ,mountedeon-saichcylindrical portiiaaaorepbarrel support threadedly secured to said plug, an'

barrelpnY said support and spaced said'I seat 60 Y interior of said support and` the exterior of said inner barrel, a core catcher assembly on said inner barrel; said core catcher assembly including an upper and a lower member, said lower member having a plurality of i spring pressed catches therein, said outer barrel having a tapered' seat portion adjacent the upper end L thereof and said head member including a tapered surface to engage said seat portion, and releasable'catch means on said outer barrel coacting with means on said head to releasably connect said head and said outer barrel. t

3. In -a core barrel, a drilling bit having a central bore therein to form a. cre and a plurality of cutting teeth thereon, a cylindrical shell, means to removably secure said bit to said shell and means to removably secure said shell to a string of drill tubing, an outer barrel positioned in said shell and removably secured to said bit, said barrel including a tapered seat.portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a head member, said head member including a tapered portion to engage said outer barrel seat portion, coacting means on said barrel and said head for` releasably connecting said barrel and said head, a stem member depending from said head, a bearing member supported onsaid stem, a core barrel positioned in said outer barrel., means to support said core barrel on said bearing, said core barrel having a closed chamber thereinl adjacent the upper end thereof, a plurality of apertures in the side Wall of said core barrel opening into said chamber and into the space between said core barrel and said outer barrel, the lower wall of said chamber having an.aper. turetherethrough with a ball valveseat portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a ball valve in `said chamber adaptedto engage said seat to prevent downward passage through said bottom wall aperture, a core catcher assembly removably secured to said core barrel adjacent the lower end thereof to receive a core from said drill bit bore.

4. In' `a'core barrel, a drill bit having a central aperture to form a core, a shell, means to mount said bit on said shell, means to connect said shell to a string of drill tubing, an outer barrel positioned in said shell and releasably secured to said bit, a head member, said outer barrel including a seat portion adjacent the topvthereof and saidy head member including a portion engaging said seat, releasable clip means on said outer barrel to releasably connect said head member and said outer barrel, an inner core barrel on said head member and positioned in said outer barrel,

- means to rotatably support said inner core barrel from said head member, a coupling member, a pull member shiftable on the coupling member and adapted to.be connected to a sand line, said coupling member including a ldownwardly directed sleeve adapted to engage said releasable in said sleeve, coactingengaging and supporting means on said' dogs and said hdmember, means to urgev saiddogs to engaged position, means on said pull member operablewhen the pull member is shifted to shift-said dogs from engaged positionY and movable means in said coupling member to hold saig dogs in disengaged position.

5. In a'corenlrrel, a coring bit, a cylindrical shell, means to removlls'ecure said shellto Vsaid Y 'Kbit and to a string of drill tubing, an outer barrel positioned in said shell and removably secured to said bit, said barrel including a tapered seat portioxi` adjacent the upper end thereof', a head mem-l ber, said head member including a tapered portion to engage said outer barrel seat-portion, coactingv means on said barrel and said'head for releasably connecting-said barrel and said head, a stem member depending from said head, a bearing member supported on said stem, a core barrel positioned in said outer barrel, means to support said core barrel from said bearing, said core bar- 'rel having a closed chamber therein adjacent the upper end thereof, a plurality of apertures in they side walls of said core barrel opening into saidv chamber and intok the space between said core barrel and said-outer barreLthe upper'wall of said chamber having a flow diverging member depending therefrom, the lower wall of said chamber having an aperture therethrough with a ball valve seat portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a ball valve in said chamberk adapted to engage saidseat to prevent downward passage through said bottom Wall aperture, said flow diverging member acting to limit the upward movement of said ball valve, and a core catcher assembly removably secured to said core barrel adjacent the lower end thereof to receive a core from said drill bit bore. ,A

6. In a core barrel, a drilling' bit having a central bore therein to form a core and a plurality of cutting teeth thereon, a cylindrical shell, means to removably secure said bit to said shell and means to removably secure said shell to a string of drill tubing, an outer barrel positioned in s aid shell, 'an anti-friction bearing in said drill bit surrounding said bore, means connecting said outer barrel and said ,bearing to support said outer barrel, a core barrel positioned in said outer barrel, said core barrel including a head portion, means to support said core lbarrel on said head portion, coacting means on said outer barrel and said head portion for releasably connecting said outer barrel and said core barrel, said core barrel having a closed chamber therein adjacent the upper end thereof, a plurality of apertures in the side walls of said core barrel opening into said. chamber and into the space between said core barrel and said outer barrel, the lower wall of said chamber having an aperture therethrough witha ball valve seat portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a ball valve in said chamber adapted to engage 'said seat to prevent downward passage through said bottom Wall aperture, a core catcher assembly removably secured to said core barrel adjacent the lower end thereof to receive a core from said drill bit bore.

7. In a core barrel, a drilling bit having a central bore therein to form a core and a plurality oi.

cutting teeth"thereon,`a"cylindrical shell, means \\clip means, a plurality of dogs pivotally mountedf#,outer .barrehand/,said-#bearingY to support said:

outer barreLsaid barrel including a taperedsc atR portion 'adjacent the uppe1Te`nd`thereof-1 *(oreY-r said coge barrelY havingtahlosedechagmber,therein adjaent the upper end thereof, a plurality of apertures in the side walls of said core barrel opening into said chamber and into the space behead member in saidv barrel, a stem on said head -tween said core barrel and said outer-barrel. the member, said stem .having a bearing thereon, an lower wall of said chamber having an aperture inner core barrel rotatable. von.' said bearing `and therethrough with a bail valve seat portion adspaced from said outer barrel, a core catcher vasjacent the upper end thereof, a ball valve lin said semb1y on said inner barrel,- said` outer barrel 5 chamber adapted to engage said seat to prevent yhaving a seat portion adjacent vthe-upper end downward passage through said bottom wail thereof and said: head member including a suraperture, a core catcher -assembly-removablyY seface to engage said seat portion and releasable cured to said core barrel adjacent the -lower end catch means on said outerbarrel coacting with thereof to receive a core from said drill bit bore. means on said head to releasably connect said 10 8. In a core barre a bit having a eentralbore. head member and said outer barrel. a cylindrical shell, means to secure said shell to said bit, an outer barrel mounted in said shell, a f GUY C. GIN-ER. 

